Foreign Languages and Literatures

1998-1999 Bulletin Information

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Chair: Bernard Quinn (460-6291)
Professors: Jones, Quinn, Mozur
Associate Professors: Brown, Perez-Pineda.
Assistant Professors: Laurita, Lomangino, McCready, Willis
Instructors: d’Aquin, Grey, Wilbanks

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a full range of undergraduate courses for students interested in language study. In addition to multilevel offerings in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, and Russian, students may choose elective credits from a variety of courses, taught in English, that focus on the literature and culture of one or more foreign countries. The department offers undergraduate majors and minors in French, German, Russian, and Spanish; credits earned in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, or Japanese may be used to complete requirements for one of several minors in International Studies. In the first-year sequences (Introductory) the student is given a basic foundation in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Typically, the emphasis is on ear training and oral practice followed by development of reading and writing skills. The second-year courses (Intermediate) build upon the skills acquired in the first year. Upper-level courses provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the important writers and movements of each language area’s literary legacy, while other courses concentrate on language and culture. Students with previous language training will be placed at the appropriate level.

The department plays a major role in helping to improve students’ abilities to communicate with and understand other cultures in an increasingly interdependent world. In addition to providing students with opportunities for participation in study-abroad programs, the department also offers advice concerning the role of language study in career planning. The connection between foreign language training and employment may not be obvious to students who assume that foreign languages are used only by interpreters, teachers, and translators. Knowing another language can actually broaden the scope of job opportunities. If one has almost any "marketable" skill plus a foreign language, one’s chances of finding an interesting job are often improved considerably. Students who already have a solid foundation in one foreign language are strongly encouraged to develop proficiency in a second language, as is often the case with their counterparts in Asian and European universities. Knowledge of two or more languages is becoming increasingly important in the rapidly developing global economy and could significantly enhance future career options.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN A LANGUAGE
A minimum of 36 semester hours in one language is required. After completing the lower-division courses (Introductory and Intermediate sequences), students will be required to:

complete the specific upper-division courses indicated under the chosen option;
select their remaining credits from the additional courses listed.

The following specific upper-division courses are required, depending on the language in which the student wishes to major: French - LG 311, 312, 313, 314 (to be taken three times for a minimum of three course credits); German - LG 366, 367 (to be taken three times for a minimum of three course credits), 368, and at least nine hours from the following courses: LG 361, 362, 363, and 364; Spanish - LG 333, 334, 336, and 431; Russian - LG 372, 374, 375 (to be taken three times for a minimum of three course credits), 376, and either 380 or 381. A maximum of two courses offered in English may count toward the major with prior approval of the student’s advisor.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR IN A LANGUAGE
Students must complete a minimum of nine semester hours beyond the Introductory and Intermediate sequences. The student must complete the following upper-division courses depending on the language in which the student elects to minor: French - LG 313 and 311 or 312; German - LG 366 and either 367 (to be taken three times for a minimum of three course credits), or 368; Russian - LG 374 or 376; Spanish - LG 333 and 334. Remaining credits, if any, are to be selected from the upper-division courses in the appropriate language. N.B.: Native or near-native speakers of a language may not enroll in upper-level conversation courses.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences with previous foreign language experience may satisfy the one-year foreign language requirement by taking a proficiency test administered by the department. The proficiency test measures levels of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A fifteen-minute oral test will be scheduled after satisfactory completion of the written component. Grading will be S/U.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS (NASILP)
The Department offers several languages under the auspices of the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs, a professional organization that provides guidelines, develops materials, and sets standards for self-instructional language programs throughout the United States. Success in these courses requires a high degree of motivation, self discipline, and a long-term commitment to developing oral/aural proficiency in the target language. Students, working on their own 10-12 hours a week with audio and video tapes and written materials, follow a carefully organized sequence of lessons and normally meet three times a week in small groups (3-6) with native drill instructors. NASILP-approved examiners are invited to the campus to administer final student performance evaluations. Success in this program depends upon students’ willingness to assume responsibility for learning appropriate listening and speaking skills. Before enrolling in a NASILP course students are urged to discuss course requirements and testing procedures with the local program coordinator. Call 460-6291 for more information. Fee.

GRADUATE STUDIES
Although the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures has no graduate degree program, graduate-level course work is offered in several languages under the rubrics of "Special Topics," "Seminar," and "Directed Studies."

Descriptions of all Languages (LG) ourses

Descriptions of all Self-Instructional Languages (LGS) courses

College of Arts and Sciences